2016 Corolla Hybrid – Price And Features For Australia

Arriving in a single specification, the 2016 Toyota Corolla Hybrid hits the Australian market combining Toyota’s expertise in hybrid technology with the mass-market appeal of the Corolla hatch.

Priced from $26,990, the Corolla Hybrid slots into the Corolla range between the sport-styled SX and ZR models, and offers a boosted level of equipment and technology.

Power is rated at 100kW from the combined 1.8 litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine and 60kW electric motor.

The petrol engine gets some efficiency revisions including an electric water pump, and a higher compression ratio compared to the regular Corolla range.

A user-selectable EV mode allows the Corolla Hybrid to operate in electric-only range for short distances, or left to its own devices the hybrid powertrain can deliver combined fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100km, endowing it with a cruising range of almost 1100km,

To compare, a regular Corolla automatic delivers an official figure of 6.1 l/100km on the combined cycle. Around town the Corolla Hybrid performs even better registering 3.9 l/100km compared to the petrol Corolla’s 8.0 l/100km urban figure.

Standard features for the Corolla Hybrid include dual-zone climate control, bi-LED headlamps, LED daytime running, proximity key with push-button start, and satellite navigation with live traffic updates, and Toyota Link connectivity.

Other specification highlights include a CVT transmission, and a hybrid-exclusive double wishbone rear suspension replacing the regular torsion beam of the standard Corolla range.

Luggage space stays the same, with the Corolla Hybrid hatch providing 360 litres of luggage space, thanks to the batteries located under the rear seat.

“The hybrid version of the popular Corolla represents great value for money with its impressive equipment levels, exceptionally low running costs and the proven performance and fuel-efficiency of Toyota’s full hybrid technology.” Toyota’s executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb, said.

The Corolla slots into Toyota’s hybrid range above the smaller Prius C which starts from $22,990, but tops out at a very close $25,990 for the i-Tech variant. The newly launched Prius range is similar in size, but comes with higher levels of specification for a starting price of $34,990.

Despite similarities under the skin, the Prius is still able to deliver a more frugal 3.4 l/100km fuel consumption figure.